Exploring the Interplay between Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Childhood Conduct Problems in Global Perspective
Lead Research Organisation:
King's College London
Department Name: Inst of Psychiatry School Offices
Abstract
The proposed research project will extract data from three,
large longitudinal cohort studies to further explore the
aetiology of conduct disorder trajectories. Trajectories of
conduct problems will be estimated using nonparametric
trajectory estimation. Socio-environmental risk factors will
be identified using multinomial logistic regression.
Polygenic risk score analyses will investigate how these
environmental risk factors interact with the genetic liability
for conduct disorder. Additionally, the proposed PhD will
take a global perspective in identifying regional and other
potential population specific variations in risk pathways for
conduct problems among children. My PhD project proposal
will provide more power than any previous study on the
aetiology of conduct disorder and will be useful for young
people and in clinical practice, as it will help to further our
understanding of child conduct problems. By discovering
the causal factors of conduct problems and recognizing the
exact problems which individuals go through, the data
obtained in this PhD will help to optimise and/or develop
services and suggest potential targets for interventions and
prevention of disruptive behavioural problems in childhood
and adolescence.
large longitudinal cohort studies to further explore the
aetiology of conduct disorder trajectories. Trajectories of
conduct problems will be estimated using nonparametric
trajectory estimation. Socio-environmental risk factors will
be identified using multinomial logistic regression.
Polygenic risk score analyses will investigate how these
environmental risk factors interact with the genetic liability
for conduct disorder. Additionally, the proposed PhD will
take a global perspective in identifying regional and other
potential population specific variations in risk pathways for
conduct problems among children. My PhD project proposal
will provide more power than any previous study on the
aetiology of conduct disorder and will be useful for young
people and in clinical practice, as it will help to further our
understanding of child conduct problems. By discovering
the causal factors of conduct problems and recognizing the
exact problems which individuals go through, the data
obtained in this PhD will help to optimise and/or develop
services and suggest potential targets for interventions and
prevention of disruptive behavioural problems in childhood
and adolescence.
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/P000703/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2437387 | Studentship | ES/P000703/1 | 01/10/2020 | 30/09/2024 | Karina Benza |
| Description | I investigated associations between polygenic risk score for ADHD, aggression, antisocial behavior, risk-taking, externalizing behaviors, and conduct disorder (CD) trajectories in a sample from ALSPAC birth study cohort (UK study). I further evaluated early-life family stressors (e.g., maternal depression, domestic violence, low-income) that are established risk factors for CD. Family stressors were robustly associated with less favorable CD trajectories. Only PRS for aggression was associated with CD, highlighting some relevance of genetic susceptibility in CD. While family stressors showed stronger associations with CD, aggression - PRS may have additive effects in explaining conduct problems in children. |
| Exploitation Route | These findings are currently in progress for publication. |
| Sectors | Healthcare |